What is a Paediatric Dentist (Paedodontist)?
In the same way that paediatricians are trained to meet a child’s medical needs, our paediatric dental specialists are uniquely qualified to protect your child’s oral health using the most advanced techniques, and all in our delightfully friendly open treatment area. Paediatric dentists have an additional two to three years of training at university paediatric facilities in addition to four years of dental school and four years of college study. Some paediatric dentists (including all of ours) practice general dentistry before specialising, giving them a unique perspective. They learn how to deal with the behavioural aspects of children, how to make them feel comfortable, and to make the experience pleasant. They also are trained and qualified to treat special needs patients.
How is a paediatric dentist different from a general dentist?
A paediatric dentist is a fully qualified dentist who has undertaken three additional years of full time post graduate course in the specialty of paediatric dentistry at an accredited university. Paediatric dentists are trained to provide high quality comprehensive oral health care for all children.
Paediatric dentists are experts at:
- growth and psychological development of children birth to adulthood
- the genesis and treatment of the full range of oral diseases both inherited and acquired, including decay to gum disease, tooth wear to traumatic dental injuries, missing to poorly formed teeth
- the individual nature of each child and how their temperament, family and school environments and background impact on oral health
- childhood illness and disability and how these can impact of oral health and dental treatment
- existing research, best practice guidelines and evidence based treatment related to child oral health
Paediatric dentists are trained to: - identify issues that are causing dental disease and know how to help children and their families have healthy teeth and mouths
- deliver specialised techniques for managing anxious and/or young children including using special approaches to giving local analgesia and dental sedation as well as providing dental treatment under general anaesthesia
- treat children with all kinds of medical, physical and intellectual conditions including those with behavioural challenges such as Autism and ADHD
- work with a network of doctors, paediatricians, nurses, allied health professionals, teachers and child care workers to ensure that children have the best dental health possible
Do we need a referral from another dentist to see you?
No. You do not require a referral from a dental or medical professional to see us. Many of our patient’s siblings, extended family and friends who are not currently under the care of other dental professionals readily join our practice.
We offer a child-friendly environment with specialist paediatric dental services. This means we can manage the simplest to the most complicated dental treatments in children.
What dental problems could my child have?
Some dental problems begin very early in life. One concern is early childhood tooth decay, a serious condition caused by a child staying on the bottle (or breast) too long. Another problem is gum disease. About 40 percent of children two to three years old have at least mild inflammation of gum tissues. Oral habits (such as thumb-sucking) should also be checked. The earlier the dental visit, the better the chances of preventing problems. Strong, healthy teeth help your child chew food easily, speak clearly, and feel good about their teeth’s appearance.
Why should a parent worry about primary teeth given they will fall out anyway?
This is perhaps one of the most common questions we get asked. In addition to the chewing function, baby teeth play a critical role in a child’s speech development. They also hold space in the jaws for permanent teeth that are growing under the gums. When a baby tooth is lost too early, the permanent teeth can drift into the empty space and make it difficult for other adult teeth to find room when they come in. This can adversely affect the the entire mouth. By intervening early, we can retain the space until the adult tooth erupts.
Do growth spurts in children affect their teeth?
Children go through growth spurts at different times. In a span of 6 months, they may undergo more than one growth spurt.
Each growth spurt also means their mouth is also changing and growing. This also means the interplay between the primary and the adult teeth is also changing. It is therefore highly advisable to monitor this interplay and possibly intervene early to avoid costly dental treatments.
Do we need to continue seeing a dentist whilst under orthodontic care?
The orthodontists’ main specialisation is straightening teeth. Wearing of braces or some of the newer appliances for straightening teeth in fact often lead to plaque build up or cavities which required professional management. We often see beautifully aligned teeth after orthodontic treatment but with decay due to poor ongoing management during the orthodontic phase.
Why are baby teeth so important?
Primary teeth are important because they help with proper chewing and eating, help in speech development, and add to an attractive appearance. A child who can chew easily, speak clearly, and smile confidently is a happier child. Healthy primary teeth allow normal development of the jaw bones and muscles, save space for the permanent teeth, and guide them into place. If a baby tooth is lost too soon, permanent teeth may come in crooked. Decayed baby teeth can cause pain, abscesses, infections, and can spread to the permanent teeth. Also, your child’s general health can be affected if diseased baby teeth aren’t treated. Remember, some primary molars are not replaced until age 10-14, so they must last for years.
What should I tell my child about their first dental visit?
We are asked this question many times. We suggest you prepare your child the same way that you would before their first hair-cut or trip to the shoe store. This will not be the frightening experience you may remember from your youth. If you are nervous about the trip, then the less you say the better. You cannot hide your anxiety from a child (they have radar for these things). We will send you an activity/coloring book before the appointment that will explain everything. Have fun going through it with your child. Your child’s reaction to his first visit to the dentist may surprise you.
What about preventative care?
Tooth decay and children no longer have to go hand-in-hand. At our office, we are most concerned with all aspects of preventive care. We use the latest in sealant technology to protect your child’s teeth. Sealants are space-age plastics that are bonded to the chewing surfaces of decay-prone back teeth. This is just one of the ways we will set the foundation for your child’s lifetime of good oral health.